Richard Vaughan is a Badminton player from the United Kingdom. He competed for his home country in the 2004 Olympics and is now training for the Beijing Olympics. If Team Darfur had an "athlete of the week," it would definitely be Richard Vaughan!

The quote by Vaughan below spawned a much needed discussion on if Olympic Committees have the right to censor athletes. Many news sources around the world have picked up this story and we are very thankful for Richard taking a stand to open this dialogue:

Nikki Dryden is a freestyle and backstroke swimmer from Canada. She competed in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Nikki now lives in NYC and works as a Human Rights Lawyer.

Here is what Nikki had to say about being a member of Team Darfur:

Being a member of Team Darfur brings together the two most important things in my life: sport and human rights. As an Olympic swimmer I understand the power sport has to change lives and I hope that my success can lead to positive change for the people of Darfur. As a human rights lawyer I work daily to uphold the rights of people from all over the world. Because so much of the success of human rights defenders involves the shaming of governments to do the right thing, I believe that this year, the world's Olympic athletes are in a unique position to shame the government of China for its involvement in Sudan when it plays host to the world in Beijing. When you are an elite athlete it is often hard to find your voice on such issues, but the Olympic movement was founded on the ideals of human rights and peace, so there is no time like the Olympic Games to realize that dream for the people of Darfur.

Melissa Fitzgerald is best known for her role on The West Wing as Carol Fitzpatrick and has recently produced the documentary Voices of Uganda. The documentary is set for a 2008 release and be sure to check out the website at www.voicesofuganda.org.

We were grateful to have Melissa Fitzgerald attend and speak at our December 10th torch relay for Darfur. She read an amazing piece she wrote for the New York Times (I will be posting it in a few days) and had this to say about why she agreed to speak at the event on behalf of Team Darfur:

I believe that our work here – together – might serve to ignite

and sustain a grassroots movement to demand that the

world community, including China, end their support of

programs and business ventures initiated and sustained

by the Sudanese government. Thank you Team Darfur for your ongoing 

commitment to the people of Darfur!

Felicity Abram was one of the first athletes to sign our Team Darfur charter [9]- she took a leap of faith by joining what was then a very new organization. Soon after signing and reading up on our mission statement, she posted this on her blog [10]:

I am always looking to help people in need , I personally sponsor a child through World Vision and I'm always saying a prayer for the millions and millions of people who live in poverty each day. Please check out this link - You should join 'Team Darfur' as well. Make a donation a get your sweatbands, it is all for a good cause. And just remember how lucky you really are.

http://www.teamdarfur.org/ [11] Fliss xo

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Why is runner Jon Rankin on Team Darfur?

This is what he had to say:

"I decided to join Team Darfur because I believe that all people have the right to live in peace and enjoy prosperity. Many people in Darfur are suffering due to an unjust situation and I want to be part of a solution that will hopefully lead to peace and prosperity for those people. I realize how fortunate I am to have the life that I lead here in America as a citizen and a professional athlete. Yet, at this point, I cannot continue to honestly enjoy my life here knowing that the people of Darfur aren't being given a chance to also have the best life they can possibly have. As an athlete and possible 2008 United States Olympian on Team Darfur, I believe that a united stance by all other Olympians and professional athletes during this upcoming Olympic year can help bring an end to the war and bring peace to the lives of the people living in those areas."

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Sarah Poewe is a 2 time Olympic swimmer for both South Africa and Germany. In 2004 her German relay team took home the bronze medal in the 4x100 Medley Relay. She took a moment to let us know why she is a member of Team Darfur:

Growing up in a third world country, South Africa, one is constantly surrounded by homeless, starving african people. Because of the high unemployment rates, it has lead to excessive crime and squatting on any piece of vacant land. In addition, due to the undernourishment, epidemics of different diseases have broken out.

With this said, it is a great privilage to be part of this campaign. I feel deeply for this organization and it would be an honor to assist in anyway possible, even if it would mean fullfilling one child's dream of a better life.

Kindest Regards,
Sarah Poewe

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Thanks Sarah! As the games approach and the media turns the attention on the Olympic games, we know you will have the opportunity to fulfill the dream of a better life for many children. Good luck preparing for the 2008 Olympic Games and swim fast!

Recently we asked members of Team Darfur why they decided to join our coalition (besides the fact that we're awesome).

Here is what Canadian Olympic Speed Skier Vince Poscente had to say:

I have joined Team Darfur for reasons that match the three Olympic ideals:

1. The Pursuit of Excellence - Excellence is not about being perfect, winning or being right. It is a behavior that all humans have the choice to engage in. Excellence is integrity of effort. All countries, companies, politicians and individuals like you and I make the choice to live with integrity or take a darker path.

2. Fair play - A victory is not a victory if a person cheats, lies or even avoids getting caught. The stakeholders in the Darfur crisis have a responsibility to tell the truth to themselves and the world they live and act with honor and respect for human life.